CLEARWATER, Fla. – As Jesse Biddle jogged off the practice field Tuesday, Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg caught up with the wide-eyed 22-year-old.

"I met him coming off the field and it looked like he took a deep breath," Sandberg said with a smile. "I told him, 'I saw you working, nice job.' But he showed what he has."

Biddle was one of two Phillies pitchers to face major-league hitters for the first time in his career. Their stories could not be more different. Biddle, a lifelong Phillies fan, grew up minutes outside of Philadelphia and went to Germantown Friends School. The Phillies drafted him after his senior season with the 27th overall pick in the 2010 draft.

The other was Miguel Gonzalez, the Phillies' Cuban defector who signed with the team in August for three years and $12 million. He has thrown few times in front of Phillies officials, who still admit they aren't quite sure what they have in the 26-year-old.

Both impressed, according to coaches. Biddle showcased an impressive fastball to go with a curveball and slider.

"[Biddle] showed a good breaking ball, according to the older hitters and showed good movement on the change-up and showed a good fastball," Sandberg said. "He didn't throw all the strikes he wanted to, but that's understandable. That's what this is all about for a guy like him, this experience."

Gonzalez struggled with control, but threw with more velocity than previously seen.

"That's rust," Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said of Gonzalez's struggles. "Some of the hitters mentioned he was down in the zone pretty good and had some action on his change-up."

The Phillies hope Gonzalez can immediately contribute at the major-league level, while Biddle will assuredly begin the season in Triple-A.

Adams, Hamels

back on track

Mike Adams and Cole Hamels – two of three injured Phillies in spring training – will be throwing off the mound soon, each said Tuesday. Adams threw 25 pitches on flat ground Tuesday, and hopes to throw his first bullpen session on Feb. 27.

Adams said it would be "pushing it" for him to be ready opening day. He had shoulder surgery in late July.

"I would love to be ready for opening day, but I got to do what's smartest for myself and smartest for the team," Adams said. "I want to make sure I'm there for the long haul and not rush myself out there and do something that's not smart. I'm thinking early to mid-April might be more realistic."

Hamels will throw his first bullpen session of the spring next Tuesday. He previously said he won't be ready for opening day, as nagging elbow tendinitis pushed back his offseason throwing schedule by a couple weeks. He hopes to debut sometime in April.

Extra innings

Sandberg said Tuesday that Darin Ruf, who has played first base, left field and right field during his time in the majors, will see equal time at first base and left field. ... Sandberg also mentioned that Marlon Byrd, Domonic Brown and Cesar Hernandez could be options to back up Ben Revere in center field.